2016 Toyota Highlander: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2016 / toyota / highlander
known issues8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-26)
complaints110 on file (2015-12-28 → 2026-09-10)
recalls3
investigations0
fars43 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Panoramic sunroof and rear window spontaneous shatteringUNKNOWN OR OTHER10 complaints2017-07 → 2022-11highlander-2016-sunroof-shattering
  • 11299458 HEADED TO WORK AT 5:35 AM ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020, AT 55 MPH ON MY DAILY COMMUTE IN MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, WESTBOUND ON I-70 BETWEEN THE CENTRAL PARK AND 270 EXITS, AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED
  • 11209183 THE REAR WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY PROVOCATION. PULLING INTO AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE UPON PLACING THE CAR IN PARK, THE READ WINDSHIELD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED INTO PIECES. NOTHING HIT IT. NOTHING BANGED INTO IT. JUST EXPLODED FOR NO REASON
  • 11034614 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL EXPLOSION SOUND. ONCE THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND PULLED OVER, SHE OBSERVED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD FRACTURED
Brake pedal failure to stop the vehicleSERVICE BRAKES17 complaints2017-01 → 2024-12highlander-2016-brake-pedal-failure
  • 11628348 The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speeds on a decline, the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard
  • 11124494 WHILE PARKING IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, AT IDLE SPEED, THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP FORWARD PROGRESS. CAR STRUCK THE CURBING, CLIMBED ONTO THE DIVIDER, CROSSED THE DIVIDER AND BUMPED A PARKED CAR ON THE OTHER SIDE
  • 11209288 STARTED COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKES AT 10,000 MILES. THE DEALER TURNED REAR ROTORS AT 28,000 AND INSTALLED NEW PADS. NOW AT 37,000, THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED ALSO. CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN.NO COVERAGE FROM THE DEALER. DEFECTIVE ROTORS ARE MY COMPLAINT
Tire sidewall separation and premature tread wearTIRES8 complaints2017-12 → 2025-11highlander-2016-tire-sidewall-failure
  • 11635719 The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Evolution H/T, Tire Size: 245/55/R19, DOT Number: UPPIILE. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55-65 MPH, the rear driver's side tire unexpectedly had a blowout
  • 11467747 Cooper Adventurer P245/60R18 tires. Three of four tires had sidewall separation on both inner and outer sidewalls in same area. A separation could be seen in the outer casing about .25" above the rim line radiating and following the rim line
  • 11124033 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER WITH OEM TOYO 245/55R19 OPEN COUNTRY M&S 103T TIRES AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON I95 SOUTH BOARD NEAR BRUNSWICK GA (EXIT 38?) , A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND THEN THE BUMPING MADE IT OBVIOUS A TIRE HAD FAILED SO THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WELL OF THE ROAD NEAR AN EXIT
False forward-collision warning and automatic brakingFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE4 complaints2017-06 → 2025-05highlander-2016-false-collision-braking
  • 11660748 On multiple (3-5), but not all, occasions at the same location my pre collision warning and automatic breaking appear to have been triggered as I approached an expansion plate at the edge of a bridge
  • 11277025 I'VE HAD TWO SERIOUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE CAR'S AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM WE BOUGHT AS PART OF A SAFETY PACKAGE. BOTH WERE IDENTICAL. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DETECTED A POTENTIAL SIDE IMPACT CRASH
  • 10993100 ON 6/4/2017 AT 7:23 PM, PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM (PCS) BEEPED AND LIT UP "BRAKE" EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS AT LEAST 4 CAR LENGTHS AWAY AND IT WAS TRAVELING FASTER THAN MY VEHICLE
Electric power steering failure and steering lock-upSTEERING5 complaints2018-11 → 2026-02highlander-2016-eps-steering-failure
  • 11715980 I was on Hwy 27 headed south bound at Bellecita Rd in Davenpoerrt, Fl. This is a busy four way intersection. I moved into the left hand turn lane. When the left turn green light came on I began my U-Turn to head north bound
  • 11366270 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 30,000 MILES EPS FAILURE STEP ON THE BREAK IN THE MORNING EPS FAILURE WITH THE FLASHING LIGHT SHUT IT OFF STEP ON THE BREAK AGAIN START IT AND SOMETIMES IT'S BACK TO NORMAL
  • 11144817 I WAS JUST PROCEEDING FROM A STOP AT A 4 WAY INTERSECTION GO VERY SLOWLY WHEN I RECEIVED A WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD SAYING "EPS FAILURE, STEERING WHEEL HARDER TO TURN". I WAS THEN PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALMOST AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED
Air bags failing to deploy in a crashAIR BAGS3 complaints2016-10 → 2025-10highlander-2016-airbag-nondeployment
  • 10918511 I OWN A 2016 HIGHLANDER LIMITED PLATINUM AND AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY CLAIMS. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS IN A ROLLOVER (2 FULL ROTATIONS) ACCIDENT IN HER 2016 HIGHLANDER PLATINUM
  • 10919975 I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON MY CAR GOING 50 TO 60 MPH I THE ROAD CURVED AND I DID NOT I WENT INTO THE TOP OF THE DITCH HIT FRONT END AND WENT AIRBORN 30 TO 50 FEET IN THE AIR OVER THE PERSONS DRIVWAY
  • 11695898 As I looked up after the impact and saw my hood folded I then noticed that my air bag had not gone off. How could the air bag have not gone off in an impact such as that
Engine stalling or shutting off while drivingELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE5 complaints2016-04 → 2023-03highlander-2016-engine-stall
  • 11512162 Description of Problem (electrical issue affecting multiple systems): Engine shuts off while driving. All instrument/electronic displays shut off or flicker while driving. Steering wheel locks and vibrates. Liftgate does not open
  • 10893721 8:30PM WE LEFT HER HOUSE TO GO HOME. WE DROVE ON THE STREET FOR TWO MINUTES AND WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I BRAKED TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE CAR DIED. THE DASH BOARD SCREEN SAID PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK AND START THE CAR
  • 11424583 The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off without warning. The contact would be able to restart the vehicle a few minutes after the failure
Taillight housing water intrusionEXTERIOR LIGHTING4 complaints2018-03 → 2022-07highlander-2016-taillight-water-intrusion
  • 11474921 The tail lights on the back tailgate hatch are leaking and have been leaking. The leaks are getting progressively worse and the lights are filling up with water. The vehicle has been garage kept, has low mileage, and has never been wrecked
  • 11453099 Rear passenger tail light lift gate has water inside tail light housing, if this continues it will cause brake light to be burned off or malfunction and cause vehicle behind these cars unable to see the tail light and cause an accident
  • 11352344 WATER INSIDE LEFT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY AS PURCHASED USED FROM DAVE EDWARDS TOYOTA, AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1102015-12-282026-09-10141UNKNOWN OR OTHER:21; SERVICE BRAKES:19; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:14; AIR BAGS:10; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:9

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
18E10700027/11/2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
16V77500024/10/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. The brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire harness, preventing the sensor from detecting the brake fluid level. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, connect the wire harness to the sensor, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this G03.
16V42000009/06/2016EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSSoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202443legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2016 Toyota Highlander vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/toyota/highlander
@misc{wrenchpro_2016_toyota_highlander_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2016 Toyota Highlander},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2016/toyota/highlander}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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